Methods for determining the relative benefits and/or evaluating quantitative changes of products on epithelial tissue

ABSTRACT

A method for determining the relative benefits of products which affect animal epithelial tissue is provided. Also provided is a method for evaluating quantitative changes on one or more affected surfaces of epithelial tissue of a subject caused by a test product.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.10/787,560, filed Feb. 26, 2004.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods for determining the relativebenefits of products which affect animal epithelial tissue. Alsoprovided are methods for evaluating quantitative changes on one or moreaffected surfaces of epithelial tissue of a subject caused by a testproduct. The present invention also provides for articles of commercecomprising informational indicia in association with the article ofcommerce comprising information on the relative benefits of one or moreconsumer products and one or more comparison products wherein theinformation is determined according to the methods of the presentinvention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In animals, especially vertebrates the major type of tissues are nerve,muscle, blood, lymphoid, epithelia and connective tissues. In epitheliatissue, cells are tightly bound together into sheets. Unlike othertissue, epithelia tissue extracellular matrix is almost totally absentand consists of a thin matt called the basal lamina, which under liesthe cellular sheet. Epithelia tissue lines all the cavities and freesurfaces of animals, and the specialized junctions between the cellsenable the epithelia tissue to form barriers to the movement of water,solutes and cells from one body compartment to another. Examples ofthese cavities and free surfaces include skin, lungs, digestive tract,rectum and the like.

It is readily apparent that epithelia tissue is the first point ofcontact for a wide range of consumer products. Consumer products, suchas those which are topically applied, inhaled, swallowed, ingested,inserted rectally, etc., all initially contact epithelia tissue andeither intentionally or unintentionally have an effect on the epitheliatissue. Typically, the effect of the consumer product is difficult, ifnot impossible, and time consuming to precisely quantify, if suchquantification is possible. Furthermore, any assertions made inconnection with the benefits and/or comparison to other consumerproducts on contacting epithelia tissue would face strict legal andregulatory scrutiny not only by various government agencies but alsoother companies and various special interest groups.

Consequently, there remains the need for methods for evaluating thequantitative changes on epithelial tissue by consumer products anddetermining the relative benefits of products which affect epithelialtissue.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the present invention provides a method for evaluatingquantitative changes on one or more affected surfaces of epithelialtissue of an animal subject caused by a test product, comprising thesteps of:

-   -   (a) harvesting one or more control surfaces of epithelial tissue        from a subject to collect a first portion of mixed analytes as a        test sample;    -   (b) harvesting the affected surface of epithelial tissue from        the subject of step (a) to collect a second portion of mixed        analytes as a control sample;    -   (c) identifying marker analytes in the test and control samples;    -   (d) evaluating the effect of the product on the epithelial        tissue by evaluating the quantitative changes on the affected        areas of the epithelial tissue by comparing the marker analytes        from the affected areas with the marker analytes from the        control area.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a method fordetermining the relative benefits of products which affect animalepithelial tissue, comprising the steps of:

-   -   (i) selecting one or more test products and one or more        comparison products;    -   (ii) applying the one or more test products and the one or more        comparison products to one or more animal subjects to provide        affected areas of epithelial tissue;    -   (iii) determining the benefits of each of the one or more test        products and each of the one or more comparison products by:        -   (a) harvesting one or more control surface of epithelial            tissue from a subject to collect a first portion of mixed            analytes as a test sample;        -   (b) harvesting the affected surface of epithelial tissue            from of the subject of step (a) to collect a second portion            of mixed analytes as a control;        -   (c) identifying marker analytes in the test and control            samples;        -   (d) evaluating the effect of the product on the epithelial            tissue by evaluating the quantitative changes on the            affected areas of the epithelial tissue by comparing the            marker analytes from the affected areas with the marker            analytes from the control area;    -   to provide comparative data between each of the one or more test        products and each of the one or more comparison products; and    -   (iv) comparing the data obtained in the step (c) to determining        the relative benefits of the one or more test products and the        one or more comparison products.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a method for obtainingcellular debris and secretions from epithelial tissue comprising thesteps of:

-   -   (a) obtaining a harvesting substrate comprising the cellular        debris and secretions from epithelial tissue;    -   (b) immersing the harvesting substrate in an effective amount of        a harvesting solution; and    -   (c) subjecting the immersed harvesting substrate to sonication.

It should be understood that every limit given throughout thisspecification will include every lower, or higher limit, as the case maybe, as if such lower or higher limit was expressly written herein. Everyrange given throughout this specification will include every narrowerrange that falls within such broader range, as if such narrower rangeswere all expressly written herein.

All percentages, ratios and proportions are by weight, and alltemperatures are in degrees Celsius (° C.), unless otherwise specified.All measurements are in SI units unless otherwise specified.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention andthe manner of attaining them will become more apparent, and theinvention itself will be better understood by reference to the followingdescription of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a table illustrating Clinical erythema grades from fourdiapered skin locations according to example 1.

FIG. 2 is a bar graph of the data from the table of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a table illustrating BCA total protein assay quantitation ofprotein removed from single D-squame® tapes from six diapered skinlocations according to example 1.

FIG. 4 is a bar graph of the data from the table of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a table illustrating Bead assay quantitation of keratins 1 &10 removed from single D-squame® tapes from six diapered skin locationsaccording to example 1.

FIG. 6 is a bar graph of the data from the table of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a table illustrating Bead assay quantitation of keratins 6removed from single D-squame® tapes from six diapered skin locationsaccording to example 1.

FIG. 8 is a bar graph of the data from the table of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a table illustrating Bead assay quantitation of involucrinremoved from single D-squame® tapes from six diapered skin locationsaccording to example 1.

FIG. 10 is a bar graph of the data from the table of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a table illustrating Luciferase assay quantitation of ATPremoved from single D-squame® tapes from six diapered skin locationsaccording to example 1.

FIG. 12 is a bar graph of the data from the table of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a bar graph illustrating BCA Total Protein assay mean oftapes 2, 4, and 6 for each product and each time according to example 5.

FIG. 14 is a bar graph illustrating Bead assay for keratins 1 & 10 meanof tapes 2, 4, and 6 for each product and each time according to example5.

FIG. 15 is a bar graph illustrating Bead assay for Keratin 6 mean oftapes 2, 4, and 6 for each product and each time according to example 5.

FIG. 16 is a bar graph illustrating Bead assay for Involucrin mean oftapes 2, 4, and 6 for each product and each time according to example 5.

FIG. 17 is a bar graph illustrating Bead assay for Cortisol mean oftapes 2, 4, and 6 for each product and each time according to example 5

FIG. 18 is a table illustrating the data as illustrated in the bargraphs of FIGS. 13 to 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Definitions

As used herein, the term “comprising” means that the various components,ingredients, or steps, can be conjointly employed in practicing thepresent invention. Accordingly, the term “comprising” is open-ended andencompasses the more restrictive terms “consisting essentially of” and“consisting of.” Other terms may be defined as they are discussed ingreater detail herein.

As used herein, the term “animals” includes all multi cellular animalswhich have epithelia tissue, and includes both vertebrates andinvertebrates. Typically, the term “animals” includes, both wild anddomestic varieties of terrestrial and aquatic animals, such as mammals,reptiles, amphibians, birds, fish and the like. Examples of animalsmeeting this definition include, but are not limited to, llamas,parrots, albatross, rabbits, moose, snipe, humans, cows, ferrets, pigs,chickens, sheep, crocodiles, shellfish, alligators, sharks, salmon,emus, ducks, turkeys, geese, horses, octopus, squid, dogs, cats, mice,hamsters, rats, lions, buzzards, rhinos, dolphins, pandas, lizards,wombats, platypus, kangaroos, monkeys, chimpanzees, lemurs, gibbons,gorillas, baboons and marmosets. Also included in this definition arenaturally occurring animals and the so called transgenic animals or manmade or modified animals, such as but not limited to, the “Harvardmouse”, glow-in-the dark zebra fish and the like.

Epithelial Tissue

The term “epithelia” as used herein means a tissue comprising a sheet ofcells, one or several layers thick, organized above a basal lamina, andoften specialized for mechanical protection or active transport. Theepithelia tissue comprises several distinct layers of tissue. Thedeepest layer is the stratum basalis layer, which consists of columnarcells. The overlying layer is the stratum spinosum, which is composed ofpolyhedral cells. Cells pushed up from the stratum spinosurn areflattened and synthesize keratohyalin granules to form the stratumgranulosum layer. As these cells move outward, they lose their nuclei,and the keratohyalin granules fuse and mingle with tonofibrils, which inthe palm or base of foot forms a clear layer called the stratum lucidum.The cells of the stratum lucidum are closely packed. As the cells moveup from the stratum lucidum, they become compressed into many layers ofopaque squarnae. These cells are all flattened remnants of cells thathave become completely filled with keratin and have lost all otherinternal structure, including nuclei. These squamae constitute the outerlayer of the epithelia tissue, the stratum corneum. At the bottom of thestratum corneum, the cells are closely compacted and adhere to eachother strongly, but higher in the stratum they become loosely packed,and eventually flake away at the surface.

Some non-limiting examples of specific epithelia tissue include, skin,eyes, sinus cavities, outer ear, throat, stomach, urethra, bladder,lungs, digestive tract or bowels, anus, rectum and the like.

The term “affected surface” as used herein means a region of epitheliatissue which has been contacted with and/or by a product, such as aconsumer product and/or a test product, and the contact of the producton the epithelia tissue has resulted in some change, such as but notlimited to, physiological, biochemical, visible, and/or tactile changes,in and/or on the epithelia tissue. Illustrative and non-limitingexamples of such affected surfaces include, discoloration of the skin,diaper rash, dermatitis, inflammation, eczema, flaking of the epitheliatissue such as dandruff, edema, hyperexfoliation and the like. Theaffected surface is not limited to regions of epithelia tissue whichhave had deleterious effects caused by product, also included areregions of epithelia tissue which have had positive effects caused byproduct, such as but not limited to, reduction in erythema, reduction intransepidermal water loss (TEWL) reduction in discoloration of the skin,reduction in diaper rash, reduction in dermatitis, reduction ininflammation, reduction in sensing irritation in eczema, reduction indandruff, reduction in edema and the like. The location of the affectedsurface will depend upon the product used or the location of somephysiological, biochemical, visible, and/or tactile change in and/or onthe epithelia tissue. For example, in the case of a diaper or a babylotion the affected surface would typically be epithelia tissue, in thiscase skin, from a child's buttocks, groin, genitalia, perianal, innerleg fold and combinations thereof.

The term “control surfaces” as used herein means a region of epitheliatissue which has not been contacted with and/or by the product, such asa consumer product and/or a test product, which has contacted theaffected surface. Typically, control surface is will be of similarepithelia tissue which has not contacted the product. For example,returning to the in the case of a diaper or a baby lotion the affectedsurface would typically be epithelia tissue, in this case skin, from achild's buttocks, groin, genitalia, perianal, inner leg fold andcombinations thereof, whereas the control surface would be apportion ofthe skin which has contacted the product, such as but not limited tosternum, top of the foot and combinations thereof.

Alternatively, the control surface may be the same epithelial tissue asthe affected surface. In this case the control surface is harvested sometime prior, such as from 1 second to 5 or 6 weeks or possibly evenlonger to the application of the test product and/or comparison productto the epithelial tissue, which is then harvested to collect the testsample.

Method for Evaluating Quantitative Changes

The first aspect of the present invention is a method for evaluatingquantitative changes on one or more affected surfaces of epithelialtissue of a subject caused by a test product. This evaluation methodallows for a relatively simple, efficient and quick determination of atest products effect on epithelial tissue. The method is a highlyflexible tool to enable the user to determine what effects, bothpositive and negative, a test product has on epithelial tissue.

Harvesting

The methods of the present harvest epithelial tissue to collect aportion of mixed analytes. Any method suitable for harvesting portion ofepithelial tissue to collect a portion of mixed analytes may be usedprovided the method obtains cellular debris and secretions from theepithelial tissue. Non-limiting examples of suitable harvestingtechniques includes, application of tape, rinsing by lavage method,biopsy, swabbing, scraping, blotting and combinations thereof. However,whichever harvesting technique is used, it must be one where the onlymixed analytes obtained are those present on the outer surface of,and/or in the epithelial tissue and not include any of the underlyingnon-epithelial tissue, e.g., if the harvesting method was biopsy of theskin, then the biopsy must only be of skin epithelial tissue and notinclude any of the underlying non-epithelial tissue, such as muscle.

Typically the harvesting method employed will depend upon may factors,such as but not limited to, the location of the epithelial tissue (e.g.,skin, nose, rectum, lungs, etc.), the size of the epithelial tissue(i.e., how thick is the epithelial tissue), the area of the epithelialtissue, the animal from which the epithelial tissue is being harvested(e.g., a babies bottom, compared to crocodiles mouth), how muchepithelial tissue is required, location of the animal from which theepithelial tissue is being harvested, and the like.

One suitable method of harvesting epithelial tissue is by application oftape, such as but not limited to any type of medical tape. Thisharvesting technique is relatively simple to use and includesapplication of a tape to the epithelial tissue, typically for tape thisis the skin, which is then removed therefrom. The mixed analytesobtained from the epithelial tissue and present on the tape are thenremoved from the tape in any fashion that maintains the structuralintegrity of the mixed analytes. By “maintain the structural integrity”it is meant that any mixed analytes removed from the epithelial tissueare removed from the tape in any fashion that preserves the mixedanalytes in approximately the same configuration and/or structure theyhad when they were present in and/or on the epithelial tissue.

The size or amount of tape used which contacts the epithelial tissuewill also vary upon many factors, including but not limited to thelocation of the epithelial tissue, the size of the epithelial tissue,the area of the epithelial tissue, the animal from which the epithelialtissue is being harvested, how much epithelial tissue is required,location of the animal from which the epithelial tissue is beingharvested, and the like. In any event the size of the tape used shouldbe of similar, if not approximately identical size for the harvestingall the portions of mixed analytes. In one optional embodiment of thepresent invention the size of the tape used to harvest epithelialtissue, i.e., how much of the tape actually contacts the epithelialtissue for the harvest, is from about 2.5 mm² to about 50 mm².

In one optional embodiment of the present invention, the mixed analytespresent on the tape are removed therefrom prior to identification of themixed analytes present. In one preferred embodiment of this optionalembodiment, the mixed analytes present on the tape are removed byapplication, of a liquid such as medical saline (typically an aqueoussolution comprising 0.9% by weight of aqueous solution of salineavailable from any suitable supplier of medical saline, such as BesseMedical Supply, of West Chester, Ohio USA) or a harvesting solution,which is described in more detail herein. The liquid may contact thetape in any fashion suitable to remove the mixed analytes present, forexample by immersion, rinsing, misting and the like or combinationsthereof. It is also possible to apply energy, typically via sonication(i.e., application of sonic and/or ultrasonic energy, preferably onlysonic energy) concurrent with and/or subsequent to contacting the tapewith the liquid. One preferred embodiment of the present invention themixed analytes present on the tape are removed therefrom by immersion ina harvesting solution which is then subjected to sonication.

In one optional embodiment of the present invention from about 100 μL toabout 2.0 mL of harvesting solution is used per 39.774 mm² of tape.Alternatively, from about 0.0025 mL to about 0.05 mL of harvestingsolution is used per mm² of tape, more preferably 1 mL of harvestingsolution for every 39.774 mm² of tape.

In one optional embodiment of the present invention the mixed analytesare removed from the tape containing them, by placing the tape in anappropriate size closable container, i.e., a container that can hold theentire sample of tape, solution, and close. Suitable containers include,but are not limited to, silanized borosilicate vials, such as thoseavailable from National Scientific, Duluth, Ga., USA. Once the tape andsolution are present in the closable container they are subjected tosonication. The sonication acts to assist the solution in removing themixed analytes from the tape by shaking them loose. Typically, thecontainer is subjected to the sonication while at a temperature belowroom temperature, typically while present in an ice water bath, i.e.,from about 0° C. to about 10° C. While not wishing to be limited bytheory, it is believed that this lower temperature helps maintain thestructural integrity of the mixed analytes while they are being removedfrom the tape. The duration and intensity of the sonication will dependupon may factors, such as but not limited to, the type of tape used, thesize of the tape used, the liquid used, the nature of the mixed analytes(e.g., is there a significant percentage of fat molecule present or isthere a significant protein content, how stable are the mixed analytesto sonication, etc.), the epithelial tissue and the like. The containerand the contents therein (i.e., tape and liquid) are subjected tosonication for a time which will remove the maximum amount of mixedanalytes while maintain the structural integrity of the mixed analytes,preferably the container and the contents therein are subjected tosonication for a time from about 5 minutes to about 1 hour, morepreferably from about 15 to about 30 minutes. Similarly, the frequencyand intensity of the sonication are selected to remove the maximumamount of mixed analytes while maintain the structural integrity of themixed analytes, preferably the sonicator is used at a frequency of fromabout 18 to about 50 kHz and an intensity of from about 10 to about 100watts. Examples of suitable sonicators include, but are not limited to,Bransonic Models 5510 Ultrasonic Cleaner and B300 Ultrasonic Cleanerboth of which are available from Branson, Danbury, Conn., USA.

Exemplary tapes include, but are not limited to: D-squame tape®, andSEBUTAPE®, both of which are available from CuDerm Corporation, Dallas,Tex., USA; and Transpore® tape which is available from the 3M company,of Minnesota USA.

Another suitable harvesting method is rinsing by lavage method, which isespecially useful for some epithelial tissue, such as but not limitedto, ear, nasal passages, mouth, rectum, and the like. Rinsing by lavagemethod involves contacting the epithelial tissue with a liquid, such asbut not limited to, water, medical saline, the harvesting solution asdescribed herein and the like, and collecting the run off liquidcontaining the mixed analytes, in a container.

In the rinsing by lavage method the liquid is applied to the epithelialtissue with sufficient force to pick up any cellular debris as well asany secretions, preferably from about 1×10⁻⁵ to about 9.81 Newtons. Thisforce may be applied during the delivery of the liquid to the epithelialtissue and/or during the recovery of the liquid from the epithelialtissue, for example squirting a solution up an animals nose, asking thesubject to blow their nose and recovering the material ejected duringthe blow.

Other suitable harvesting methods are well known and include, but arenot limited to, biopsy, such as, shave biopsy, punch biopsy and thelike; scraping i.e., some type of physical ablation of the epithelialtissue; blotting, such as via a nitrocellulose blotting membrane whichis then wetted with a liquid such as but not limited to, medical salineor the harvesting solution, which is then treated to remove the mixedanalytes thereon by an suitable means, with the use of the harvestingsolution and sonication, as detailed herein being preferred; swabbing,typically performed with cotton swabs, nitrocellulose blotting membrane,gauze and the like, which are then treated to remove the mixed analytesthereon by an suitable means, such as but not limited to, the use of aliquid, such as the harvesting solution detailed herein and optionallysonication as detailed herein; and by collection of mixed analytes froman object which has been and/or is in contact with the epithelialtissue, such as but not limited to, consumer products, such as but notlimited to, used wet wipes (baby/facial), used tissues, used diapers,articles of clothing or portions thereof and the like which have beenworn and not yet cleaned, e.g., socks, underwear, shirt collars, bedlinen, towels and the like; used personal care objects, such as but notlimited to, tooth brushes, hair brush, brush for a pet, etc.; and thelike.

Additional optional process steps, such as but not limited to,stabilizing the harvested epithelial tissue, e.g., using reagents toadjust pH, lyse cells, or inhibit nascent enzymatic activity.

It is also within the scope of the present invention to use combinationsof harvesting techniques. Furthermore, while it is not essential it isnevertheless preferred that which ever harvesting technique is used toobtain the first portion of mixed analytes for the test sample it ispreferred that the same harvesting technique is used to obtain thesecond portion of mixed analytes for the control.

Harvesting Solution—In one optional embodiment of the present inventionthe mixed analytes on a harvesting substrate, such as but not limited totape, nitrocellulose blotting membrane, cotton swabs, gauze, articles ofclothing and the like, may be removed by the application of a harvestingsolution. Alternatively, the harvesting methods, such as but not limitedto rinsing by lavage method (as described herein) and the like, theharvesting solution is directly applied to the epithelial tissue toharvest the mixed analytes.

The harvesting solution may comprise a variety of ingredients. Suitableingredients include but are not limited to: solvents, such as water(which may be tap, rain, mineral, distilled, filtered, and/ordeionised), ethanol, other alcohols, polyethylene glycols and the like,and combinations thereof; surfactants, such as anionic surfactants,nonionic surfactant and combinations thereof; salts, such as NaCl, KCl,NaF, KF, tetramethylammonium chloride (TMAC), and the like, andcombinations thereof; base, such as alkali metal hydroxides, ammoniumhydroxides and combinations thereof; acid, such as but not limited tosulfuric acids; penetration enhancers, such as but not limited to,glycols, especially propylene glycol, DMSO and combinations thereof;buffers, such as phosphate buffers, citrate buffers, and the like; andcombinations thereof; and mixtures thereof.

The ingredients, when present in the harvesting solution, are eachtypically employed in compositions at levels of from about 0.0001% toabout 99.9%, preferably from about 0.001% to about 99%, and morepreferably from about 0.01% to about 97%, by weight of the harvestingsolution.

In one optional embodiment of the present invention the harvestingsolution comprises:

-   -   (i) from about 50% to about 99.9%, more preferably from about        75% to about 99.9%, by weight of the harvesting solution of        water, more preferably deionized and/or distilled water;    -   (ii) from about 0.00001% to about 5%, more preferably from about        0.0001% to about 2.5% by weight of the harvesting solution of        salts or phosphate containing salts, more preferably sodium        phosphate, potassium phosphate, NaCl, KCl, NaF, KF, TMAC, sodium        citrate, and combinations thereof;    -   (iii) from about 0.0001% to about 5%, more preferably from about        0.001% to about 2.5% by weight of the harvesting solution of a        surfactant, more preferably an anionic surfactant, a nonionic        surfactant and mixtures thereof, even more preferably sodium        dodecyl sulfate; and    -   (iv) from about 0.001% to about 10% more preferably from about        0.001% to about 5.0% by weight of the harvesting solution of a        glycol, more preferably propylene glycol.

The pH of the harvesting solution may be any suitable and will varydepending upon many factors, such as but not limited to, the harvestingmethod used, the mixed analytes present, ingredients present in theharvesting solution, the epithelial tissue harvested, etc. Typically,pHs in the range of from about 1 to about 11 is suitable. However, a pHin the range of from about 6.5 to about 8.0, even more preferably fromabout 7.0 to about 8.0, is more preferred especially when the epithelialtissue is skin. The pH is measured on the neat harvesting solution at atemperature of about 25° C. and about one atmosphere of pressure.

Mixed Analytes and Marker Analytes

Mixed Analytes—The mixed analytes harvested from the epithelial tissuemay include a wide range of different materials, which may range from,for example, compounds, and/or microflora found naturally on and/or inepithelial tissue to portions or entire cells from the epithelialtissue. The mixed analytes may also include material not typically foundon and/or in epithelial tissue, such as, but not limited to, consumerproducts, viruses, or similar normative microflora. The mixed analytesharvested from the epithelial tissue will depend upon many factors,including but not limited to the epithelial tissue harvested.Non-limiting examples of such analytes include: epithelial tissue andparts thereof; consumer products or parts thereof, such as thoseconsumer products disclosed herein; animal fluids, excretions and thelike or components thereof, such as but not limited to urine, sweat,blood, puss, tears, menses, seminal fluid, salts, glucose, urea, bile,mucus, sputum, saliva, snot, nasal discharges, ear wax, deposition onepithelial tissue from gaseous emissions (such as, but not limited to,exhaled breath, burps, sneezes, flatulence and the like) and the like;microflora and their products and the like which are resident in and/oron the harvested epithelial tissue, such as but not limited to, C.albicans; E. coli; S. aureus, dust mite dander, allergens; insect orother animal by-products due to biting or stinging, and the like.

Marker Analytes—Marker analytes are the analytes present in the test andcontrol samples that are identified by the antibody probes in order toevaluate the effect of a product on the epithelial tissue. The markeranalytes are a subset of the mixed analytes present in the test andcontrol samples.

The number of marker analytes will vary depending upon the benefits of aproduct and/or the quantitative changes to epithelial tissue that isbeing evaluated. Typically there will be one or more, preferably two ormore marker analytes for any particular process of the presentinvention.

The choice of marker analyte will depend upon may factors, including butnot limited to, the quantitative changes being evaluated, the locationof the epithelial tissue, the epithelial tissue, test product used,comparison product(s), benefits being compared, and the like.

Some non-limiting examples of possible marker analytes include:Alpha-actinin; alpha-catenin; actin; actin binding proteins; catenins;cytokeratins type I; cytokeratins type II; skin chymotrypsin-likeenzymes; cytokeratins type I; cytokeratins type II; Desmogelin 1 andother desmogleins; fibronectin and fibronectin associating proteins;hyaluronic acid; involucrin; intergrins; intercellular adhesionmolecules; human serum albumin; E-cadherin and classical family memberssuch as but not limited to desmocollin; profillagrin and its break downproducts including, but not limited to, natural moisturization factor(NMF) and the amino acids from it; cellular retinoid binding proteins;ceramides; Cholesterol and biological modifications of cholesterolincluding, but not limited to, hormones such as cortisol andtestosterone; proteoglycans including heparan and chondroitin-6 sulfate;keratin associated proteins; loricrin; trichohyalin; Collagen, such asbut not limited to, collagens of the basement membrane such as, but notlimited to, collagens I, III and IV, and collagen-associated proteinssuch as, but not limited to, nidogen and laminin; collagenases;cornifin; calcium binding proteins, such as but not limited to S100;desmocollins; desmogleins; desmoplakin; keratohyalin; sphingolipids;total disulfide bond content for the concentration within the sample ofcysteine cross-links; inositol containing compounds; melanization signalpathways including, but not limited to, alpha-MSH, microtubules composedof tubulin and associated proteins including, but not limited to,microtubule associated protein one (MAP1) and the like; intermediatefilaments such as, but not limited to, the keratins, lamins, andvimentin and associating proteins such as but not limited to,plakoglobin; kalinin; plectin; keratohyalin granules and the proteinscontained within them; laminin; lipids; lipoproteins; nidogen;pancornulins; cornifin; keratolinin; profilin; cross-linking cellenvelope proteins; envelope pre-cursor proteins; retinoic acid bindingproteins; SPARC; small proline rich proteins (SPRR) including, but notlimited to, SPRR1, 3, and 4; spectrin and spectrin-like proteins; talin;keratinocyte transglutaminase-1 and other soluble transglutaminases;syndecan; tenascin; tensin; trichohyalin; triglycerides; tubulin;tyrosinases and their enzymatic products; vimentin; vinculin; cellulardivision markers such as, but not limited to, cyclins and cyclindependent kinases; diffipoptosis (differentiation) markers such as butnot limited to, caspase 14; and apoptosis markers and indicators suchas, but not limited to, bax and bcl-2; alpha-melanocyte stimulatoryhormone; arachidonic acid and its metabolites such as, but not limitedto, thromboxane, prostaglandins, and leucotreines; basic fibroblasticgrowth factor; vitamins; minerals (esp. Zinc, Calcium, Magnesium, etc.);cytokines/chemokines (expressed by epithelial cells); epithelial growthfactors; retinoic acid; sebocyte products; and eccrine gland products;C. albicans; E. coli; S. aureus; other microflora resident and theirproducts in and/or on epithelia; dust mite dander; allergens; insectby-products due to biting or stinging and the like.

Identification of Marker Analytes

The various portions containing the mixed analytes are analyzed toidentify any marker analytes present. As noted herein, the markeranalytes are preferably identified via antibody probes or highlyspecific chemical interactions. Non-limiting examples of suitablenon-antibody identification include but are not limited to, colorimetricand fluorometric probes which can be added to a portion of the sample toexamine enzyme content, total protein, DNA content and the like. Many ofthese over the counter kits are produced by Molecular Probes, Inc. 29851Willow Creek Road, Eugene, Oreg. 97402. Additional non-antibodyidentification techniques may include, but are not limited to, specificreactions, such as any high affinity binding between ligands/receptors,enzymes/inhibitors, enzymes/activators/enzyme/substrate and the like. Anillustrative, non-limiting example of one of these non-antibodyidentification includes total protein content. Non-limiting examples ofanalysis of total protein content may be done, for example, by utilizingreagents, such as but not limited to bicinchoninic acid, modified Lowryand Bradford Coomassie blue techniques. Another illustrativenon-antibody identification includes examination of DNA such as but notlimited to, of evaluation of total DNA content by methods, such as butnot limited to, binding of the DNA to propidium iodide, or qualitativeevaluation of the DNA through the us of molecular probes, such as butnot limited to PicoGreen®, available from Molecular Probes Eugene Oreg.,Fluorogenic substrates for glycosidases, peptidases, dealkylases,peroxidases, and esterases also available from Molecular Probes EugeneOreg.

Antibodies or combinations of antibodies are employed to capturespecific marker analytes obtained during the harvesting step. Antibodiesare molecules that bind specifically to particular molecules that theyare produced against. Antibodies can be monoclonal whereby they bind onespecific region of a particular molecule, or can be polyclonal in whichthey bind many locations of a particular molecule. Other proteins can beemployed that bind specific molecules, these are called lectins andwithin the context of assays can perform the same functions asantibodies. In order to capture and quantitate the amount of aparticular molecule in a sample, typically antibodies are anchored to asubstrate, such as a plastic plate, to permit the removal of themolecule from solution, this permitted the isolation of the molecule ofinterest. Upon isolation and rinsing a second antibody can bind theparticular molecule with a color tagging system. The increases in colorupon a substrate would indicate the isolation of more of the molecule ofinterest. If a known quantity of the molecule of interest was diluted ina series, this dilution could be used as a method to compare to theunknown concentration of a particular molecule from a sample. Knownquantities of molecules can be considered standards, and a dilution ofthese standards can provide standard curves with which to reference. Ifonly one antibody is available, or the molecule of interest is small,thereby making it difficult to have two separate binding locations forantibodies, one can produce what is called a competition assay. In thisform of molecule identification a portion of the standard is chemicallymodified or “tagged”, such as covalent attachment to trinitrophenol(TNP) or an enzyme such as horseradish peroxidase (HRP). This chemicallymodified standard is now a competitor. It is utilized by adding thiscompetitor to the substrate with a specific antibody, then the additionof sample or standard. The competitor competes for binding to thesubstrate with the sample or standard added. After rinsing a secondantibody with the ability to provide color, raised to the tag TNP or HRPbinds to the competitor only. When examining the standard curvesproduced by these competition assays the highest quantities of aparticular molecule have the lowest color, and the lowest quantity of aparticular molecule have the highest color. A modification to thecompetition assay would be to bind a known quantity of the particularmolecule to the substrate. Then add a sample and an antibody specific tothe particular molecule. After rinsing, add a color indicating systemagainst the antibody. Again, when examining the standard curves from thecompetition systems the highest quantities of a particular molecule havethe lowest color, and the lowest quantity of a particular molecule havethe highest color. Each of these systems of detection outlined above isperformed within the context of immunosorbent assays known which aretypically produced to use within tubes or wells of a plastic plate.However recent technologies have micronized the plastic assay plate topermit the anchoring substrate to be micronized, and allow the assay totake place in a solution format.

One method which is capable of concurrently identifying several markeranalytes is flow cytometry. Flow cytometry is an optical technique thatanalyzes particular particles in a fluid mixture based on the particles'optical characteristics using an instrument known as a flow cytometer.Background information on flow cytometry may be found in Shapiro,“Practical Flow Cytometry,” Third Ed. (Alan R. Liss, Inc. 1995); andMelamed et al., “Flow Cytometry and Sorting,” Second Ed. (Wiley-Liss1990).

Flow cytometers hydrodynamically focus a fluid suspension of particlesinto a thin stream so that the particles flow down the stream insubstantially single file and pass through an examination zone. Afocused light beam, such as a laser beam illuminates the particles asthey flow through the examination zone. Optical detectors within theflow cytometer measure certain characteristics of the light as itinteracts with the particles. Commonly used flow cytometers such as theBecton-Dickinson Immunocytometry Systems “FACSCAN” can measure forwardlight scatter (generally correlated with the refractive index and sizeof the particle being illuminated), side light scatter (generallycorrelated with the particle's size), and particle fluorescence at oneor more wavelengths. (Fluorescence is typically imparted byincorporating, or attaching a fluorochrome within the particle.)Alternatively or in addition to optical characterization, the particlesmay be distinguished by their magnetic properties. Flow cytometers andvarious techniques for their use are described in, generally, in“Practical Flow Cytometry” by Howard M. Shapiro (Alan R. Liss, Inc.,1995) and “Flow Cytometry and Sorting, Second Edition” edited by Melamedet al. (Wiley-Liss, 1990).

A similar system to flow cytometry is available from the LuminexCorporation, Austin, Tex., USA and these allow for rapid detection ofmultiple customized marker analytes in real-time on small samplevolumes, typically 5 to 50 μL per sample. This system is detailed withinWO 97/14028 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,592,822 issued to Chandler et al.;5,981,180 issued to Chandler; 6,528,165 issued to Chandler et al.;6,524,793 issued to Chandler; 6,514,295 issued to Chandler et al.;6,449,562 issued to Chandler et al.; 6,411,904 issued to Chandler;6,366,354 issued to Chandler; 6,268,222 issued to Chandler et al.;6,139,800 issued to Chandler; 6,046,807 issued to Chandler.

In one embodiment of the present invention one type of “particle”analyzed by a flow cytometer or the like may be man-made microspheres orbeads. Microspheres or beads for use in flow cytometry or the like aregenerally known in the art and may be obtained from manufacturers suchas Spherotech, Beckman Coulter, and Molecular Probes. One preferred typeof microspheres or beads is the Luminex Bio-Plex assays of the MultiplexBead Technology of Bio-Rad Laboratories of Hercules, Calif. USA. TheMultiplex Bead Technology using Bio-Plex assays allows for the rapidanalysis, i.e., almost simultaneous if not simultaneous, analysis of aplurality of marker analytes. One Bio-Plex assay which is suitable foruse in one optional embodiment of the present invention is the Bio-Plexprotein array system which is capable of identifying up to 100 markeranalytes. Additional information on, Multiplex Bead Technology, Bio-Plexassays and Bio-Plex protein array may be found at Bio-Rad Laboratorieshome page, www.bio-rad.com.

Additional teaching and information on Flow Cytometry process and thelike and methods and related techniques, and Flow Cytometry and the likeequipment, software, microspheres, beads and the like, may be found inU.S. Pat. Nos. 6,592,822 issued to Chandler et al.; 5,981,180 issued toChandler; 6,528,165 issued to Chandler et al.; 6,524,793 issued toChandler; 6,514,295 issued to Chandler et al.; 6,449,562 issued toChandler et al.; 6,411,904 issued to Chandler; 6,366,354 issued toChandler; 6,268,222 issued to Chandler et al.; 6,139,800 issued toChandler; 6,046,807 issued to Chandler; 5,736,330 issued to Fulton; and6,057,107 issued to Fulton; 6,589,792 issued to Malachowski; 6,248,590issued to Malachowski; 5,675,517 issued to Stokdijk; 6,225,046 issued toVesey et al.; 6,549,275 issued to Cabuz et al.; 6,280,618 issued toWatkins et al.; and 6,382,228 issued to Cabuz et al.; and US PatentApplication Publication No. US20020182609A1 in the name of Arcot.

Therefore, these more recent techniques allow for rapid detection ofmultiple molecules of interest, simultaneously, on small sample volumes,within an expedient format. Other forms of instrumentation that permitsrapid throughput (greater than 50 samples/day) of experimental sampleson small sample volumes (less than 50 uL sample volume), to determinemultiple endpoints simultaneously (greater than 3), in a solution-baseddetermination system would fall within the scope of our interests.

Endpoints can be grouped based on interest within the context ofexperimentation. Reference endpoints can be utilized to examinedifferences between sample acquisition between location upon a person,differences between people, changes based on a difference in time, andthe like. Experimentally modified endpoints would be endpoints thatchange based on consumer product usage, a change in season, or anyphenomena being examined experimentally.

Reference Endpoints are determined as follows: Samples can be analyzedfor total protein, carbohydrate, sugar, lipid, fatty acid, RNA, DNA, orany other generalized class of constituents. These functional classes,such as total protein or a subset of protein such as generalizedkeratin, can then be used as references to index against specificmeasurements within the sample. An example would be measuring totalprotein then a specific keratin such as keratin 6. The clinical samplingprocess may not be consistent from sample to sample; therefore the totalprotein content of the sample can be used as a reference point to thequantitation of keratin 6 within the sample. Multiple samples from oneclinical study can then be referenced to their specific total proteincontent, for accurate statistical comparison of keratin 6 betweentreatment conditions.

Experimentally Modified Endpoints—are determined as follows: First andforemost reference endpoints can be experimentally modified due totreatment or clinical condition. An example would be a clinical skincondition where more corneocytes slough at a higher rate, creating ahigher total protein content for that clinical group or treatment whencompared to a control group or treatment. Another example would be alipid replenishing hand lotion; the increase in a reference lipidquantitation would be experimentally relevant to a comparison of handlotion products. These simple examples are traditional and only a basisfor more complex comparisons that will follow. Experimentally modifiedendpoints can and would be RNA production for specific modulations oftissues, and the production of biological markers. These markers couldbe proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, glycolipids, glycoproteins, GAGs, orany prokaryote or eukaryote product. These data forms can then bequantitated and examined as individual raw portions of information, butmore importantly can be combined, indexed to pertinent referenceendpoints, and/or consolidated into a data set for interpretation.Experimentally modified endpoints can also be referenced to othersamples within one panelist.

Consumer Product

The methods of the present invention relate to the affect a product hason the epithelial tissue of a subject or the relative benefit of oneproduct over another. In the first embodiment of the present inventionthe products are test product, whereas in the second embodiment of thepresent invention the products are test products or comparison products.Products may be any product which potentially may have an effect onepithelial tissue. Non-limiting examples of such products includes,personal cleansing products, such as but not limited to, cosmetics, haircolorants, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, makeup, lotions, topicallotions, ointments, creams, skin lotions and the like; personal careobjects, such as but not limited to, tooth brushes, hair brush, brushfor a pet, and the like; clothing, such as but not limited to underwear,footwear and the like; medicaments; pet food; toothpaste; mouth wash;hand sanitizers; disposable absorbent articles, such as but not limitedto, pads, tampons, training pants, diapers; hard surface cleaningcompositions; facial tissues; wet wipes, such as but not limited to babywipes, facial wipes, and the like; cleaning compositions, such as butnot limited to dishwashing detergent, bleach, laundry detergent and thelike; and combinations thereof.

Typically, the test and comparison products are similar, such as twodifferent brands of hand lotions, or two different brands of diapers,however, it is possible to compare different consumer products, such ascomparing the effects on epithelial tissue of a diaper rash lotion tothe effects on epithelial tissue of a diaper wearer.

Evaluating the Effect of the Product by Evaluating the QuantitativeChanges

In general, if a consumer product were to be compared with a competingproduct or product upgrade for a desired consumer benefit the examinercould create a test of a comparison of the products. Prior to beginningthe evaluation, each endpoint is established as a functional unit withina flow chart of data interpretation, such that relevant comparisons arealready determined and specific claims are already concluded through aflow chart or map. These can be established in general or createdspecifically for an individual study. Endpoints can corroborate oneanother and can be coalesced into a functional group that in a flowdiagram would be determined with “and” nomenclature. Some sample groupcomparisons can create pathway flow such as “if, then” statements as incomparing an experimental sample with a control. Taking the data at theconclusion of the study and proceeding through the defined flow diagramwould then determine the benefit targets of the product.

Within this test, panelist could use different products over time, fillout questionnaires to communicate their product experiences, clinicianscan assess panelists for clinical change to the panelists, andclinicians can then apply tapes to areas of the panelists where productswere utilized. These samples would be transferred to a laboratory wheretechnicians would perform extraction of the samples into a buffer,perform quantitative techniques and record endpoint quantities for eachtape. The examiner would then collect the information from theconsumers' questionnaires, clinical assessment, and laboratoryquantitation and combine these data into a single form. The data setwould then be queried for statistical differences, examined through theflow chart that assists in determining the relevance to the consumersdesired product performance.

In both the first and second embodiments of the present invention oncethe marker analytes are identified, the evaluation of effect of theproduct is done by comparing the marker analytes from said affectedareas with the marker analytes from said control area. In the firstembodiment of the present invention this evaluation provides informationon the effect of a test product on one or more effected surfaces. In thesecond embodiment this evaluation is done to provide comparative databetween each of the one or more test products and each of the one ormore comparison products, which is then compared to determine therelative benefits of the one or more test products and the one or morecomparison products.

Article of Commerce

The present invention also includes article of commerce comprisinginformational indicia in association with said article of commerce. Inone optional embodiment of the present invention the informationalindicia comprises information on the relative benefits of one or moreconsumer products and one or more comparison products. The informationis determined according to the methods of the present invention. Inanother optional embodiment of the present invention the informationalindicia comprises at least one assertion about at least one effect thata consumer product has on the status of an affected area of epithelialtissue when a consumer product is applied to the affected area ofepithelial tissue.

The phrase “in association with” means the informational indicia are insome fashion present on and/or in or are in some fashion connected, suchas physically or via some form of mental association, with the articleof commerce to be able to communicate the information therein. Examplesof this may include, but are not limited to either directly printed onthe article of commerce itself or presented in a different mannerincluding, but not limited to, a brochure, print advertisement,electronic advertisement, and/or verbal communication, so as tocommunicate the information therein. The exact form this association ofthe article of commerce with the informational indicia will depend uponmay factors, such as what the article of commerce is, the nature andform of the informational indicia, the information contained in theinformational indicia etc. In one optional embodiment of the presentinvention the informational indicia comprises some assertion and/orinformation about the article of commerce, e.g., if the article ofcommerce is a package of diapers, the informational indicia may containsome assertions about the effect the diapers in the package has on anaffected epithelial tissue, or it may contain some information about thebenefits of the diapers in the package compared to a competitorsdiapers, provided that the information has been obtained by the methodsof the present invention. It is to be understood that when theinformational indicia comprises some assertion and/or information aboutthe article of commerce, that article of commerce is not to be limitedto diapers, but may include any article of commerce which maypotentially interact with epithelial tissue, and non limiting examplesof these types of products are described herein.

In another alternative embodiment the informational indicia comprisessome assertion and/or information about a product, which is not thearticle of commerce. In this optional embodiment the article of commercemay be advertisements, such as print, radio, television and/oradvertisements placed on any other similar electronic media. Specificexamples of this would include, advertisements in magazines, newspapersand the like containing some information about a consumer product, orassertions based on information obtained by the methods of the presentinvention. Alternatively, the article of commerce may be magazines,newspapers and the like with the informational indicia contained in somefashion in the magazines, newspapers and the like, such as an article,editorial, advertisement, supplement, detachable insert and the like andcombinations thereof. It is also within the scope of the presentinvention that the informational indicia be or be contained in pamphlet,such as but not limited to those sent to hospitals, pediatricians andprimary care physicians that provide data demonstrating the benefits ofa product. Likewise the article of commerce comprising the informationalindicia may be present in various types of electronic media. Onenon-limiting example is web page or web pages, containing theinformational indicia. Another non-limiting example are television orradio advertisements, such as but not limited to infomercials (eitherradio or television), conventional advertisements, and the like andcombinations thereof. The informational indicia may also be supplied aspart of a program supplied on electronic media, such as sponsorship aprogram on television and the sponsorship information comprises theinformational indicia. Alternatively, the informational indicia isincluded as part of the program content, such as in a product review ona talk show, use of a product by a character in a program and thecharacter then supplies the appropriate informational indicia, such asin the form of dialogue. Another alternative, would be placement of aproduct in a “reality” television program, and either provide theinformational indicia via the participants or provide the informationalindicia via another related means which is associated with the “reality”television program.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Evaluation of Quantitative Changes on One or MoreAffected Surfaces of Epithelial Tissue of an Animal Subject of an AnimalSubject Caused by a Test Product

In example 1 the test product is a baby wipe which comprises a lotionreliably contained on a nonwoven substrate. The lotion, or compositionis detailed below in Table I. The nonwoven substrate is a 60/40polyethylene/rayon hydroentangled nonwoven material available from J.W.Suominen Company of Finland having a basis weight of about 58 grams persquare meter. The control product is a cotton washcloth that is wet withtap water. TABLE I Percent of Ingredient composition w/w [g] DisodiumEDTA 0.1 Sodium Dihydrogenphosphate dihydrate 0.4 Aloe Barbadensis0.0025 Acrylates/Vinyl Isodecanoate Crosspolymer 0.25 Dimethicone 3.0Preservative system* 2.25 Sorbitan Oleate 0.2 Sodium Hydroxide 32%solution (q.s. to pH 0.12 5.5) Water Quantity sufficient to 100%*a mixture of Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Eethylparaben, BenzylAlcohol, Propylene Glycol

For one week size 3 Pampers® diapers were applied to suitable sizedbabies of various genders. For the same week these children use the sameproducts for cleaning. The cleaning product is then changed to eitherthe, product or control. The same type of diapers is used during thetest as was in the one week before the test, namely size 3 Pampers®diapers.

After 4 days using product or control, erythema is assessed by an expertskin grader based on the grading scale below. The overall surfacecovered by the diaper is graded and give a score of 0-4 based on thegrading scale below. Additionally, individual scores of 0-4 are alsogiven for the left buttock, front left waist, genital, left hip, leftintertrigenous and left perianal for every child. The mean values foreach of these scores is then obtained and recorded. See FIG. 1

Erythema Scale

-   -   0 No apparent cutaneous involvement.    -   ½ Greater than 0, less than 1.    -   1 Faint but definite erythema, no eruptions or broken skin or no        erythema but definite dryness; may have epidermal fissuring.    -   1½ Greater than 1, less than 2.    -   2 Moderate erythema, may have a few papules or deep fissures,        moderate-to-severe erythema in the cracks.    -   2½ Greater than 2, less than 3.    -   3 Severe erythema (beet redness), may have generalized papules        or moderate-to-severe erythema with slight edema (edges well        defined by raising).    -   3½ Greater than 3, less than 4.    -   4 Generalized vesicles or eschar formations or        moderate-to-severe erythema and/or edema extending beyond the        area of the patch.

Subsequent to the grading each of the left buttock, front left waist,genital, left hip, left intertrigenous and left perianal locations areharvested. The harvesting is done by application of D-squame® tape toeach of these locations, removal of the tape and then placing each ofthe tapes into individual labeled glass vials. Six D-squame® tapes areused per child. These glass vials may be extracted immediately or theymay be stored for later extraction by storing the samples at −70° C. Inany event any extraction procedure is performed at about 23° C.

To each vial containing D-squame® tape 1 mL of harvesting solution isadded. The harvesting solution contains phosphate buffered saline with0.2% sodium dodecyl sulphate, and 1% propylene glycol. Each vialcontaining harvesting solution and D-squame® tape are then subjected tosonication for about thirty minutes. The sonication occurs in aBransonic B300 sonicating water bath which is filled with ice-water, andhas a frequency of about 34 kHz and a power of about 50 watts. Theseglass vials may be analyzed immediately or they may be stored for lateranalysis by storing the samples at −70° C. In any event, any analysisprocedure is performed at about 23° C.

The following analysis is performed on the solutions in each vial:

-   -   1. An 100 uL aliquot from each sample is analyzed using the        Pierce Micro BCA total Protein Assay kit Catalog # 23235        following kit instructions for microwell plate protocol.        (Pierce, 3747 N. Meridian Road P.O. Box 117, Rockford Ill.        61105). This assay was analyzed on a Molecular Devices        Spectramax spectrophotometer available from Molecular Devices        Corporation 1311 Orleans Drive Sunnyvale, Calif. 94089;    -   2. A 25 uL aliquot from each sample is analyzed using the Human        SkinMAP LINCOplex KIT, beads target keratins 1 & 10, Keratin 6,        and Involucrin. (Linco Research 14 Research Park Drive, St.        Charles Mo. 63304) This kit was analyzed on a BioRad BioPlex        protein array system available from Bio-Rad Laboratories 2000        Alfred Nobel Drive Hercules, Calif. 94547; and    -   3. A 100 uL aliquot is analyzed for ATP content using the        Promega Cat# G7571, adding 100 uL of luciferase working reagent        to each sample within an assay plate, incubating 2 min. then        recording the luminescence using a Tecan Ultra 384. (Promega        Corporation, 2800 Woods Hollow Road, Madison Wis. 53711).

The data from each of these three tests is complied, and the relevantmeans calculated to arrive at a mean score of analyte content for eachof the sampled locations. These means are tabulated and graphed. SeeFIGS. 1 to 12. These means are then combined with the expert gradererythema scores and statistically analyzed.

Turning now to the tabulated data, examining the erythema score it canbe seen there is no statistical difference between the product andcontrol, FIGS. 1 and 2.

However, the subsequent detailed analysis presents a different picture.

The BCA total protein recovered indicates that there was a reduction inthe amount of protein harvested from children using the product overthose using the control. See FIGS. 3 and 4. The second analysis above,is a concurrent multiple analyte profiling for skin endpoints. Thekeratins 1 & 10, which indicate corneocyte organization and content,were reduced in the buttock location over the control. See FIGS. 5 and6. Keratin 6, which is a marker of chronic irritation and woundrecovery, were significantly reduced in the buttocks, genital, andperianal locations, over the control. See FIGS. 7 and 8. Invoulcrin,which is a marker of corneocyte organization and a marker of thethickness of the stratum corneum, was significantly reduced in thebuttocks, intertrigenous, and perianal locations, over the control. SeeFIGS. 9 and 10.

Lastly, the ATP content, which is a marker of skin surface microfloraand BM contamination, was similar between product and control. See FIGS.11 & 12.

When examining the data set as a whole a clear difference between theproduct and control can be seen. The product is better than the controlas the skin is less chronically irritated (keratin 6 FIGS. 7 and 8), ismore organized and has a more robust barrier (BCA total protein FIGS. 1and 2, keratins 1 & 10 FIGS. 3 and 4 and involucrin FIGS. 9 and 10), andis similar in cleaning ability to a cotton wash cloth (ATP FIGS. 11 and12).

Example 2

A magazine advertisement containing informational indicia whichcomprises the assertion that the test product of Example 1 when appliedto an affected area of epithelial tissue reduces diaper rash.

Example 3

A television advertisement containing informational indicia whichcomprises the assertion that the product of Example 1 when applied to anaffected area of epithelial tissue reduces diaper rash.

Example 4

A baby wipe comprising the product of Example 1 containing informationalindicia in association therewith which comprises the assertion that thebaby wipe when applied to an affected area of epithelial tissue reducesdiaper rash.

Example 5 Determination of the relative benefits of Consumer products

Twenty-three panelists are given two different body lotion products.Each consumer was provided with an identical cleansing product, such asOlay® Sensitive Skin Bar Soap, and instructed to use this for theduration of the test in place of their normal skin cleansing and bathingproducts. The panelists' dorsal forearm hair is clipped and baselineD-squame® tapes are applied to each dorsal forearm. Each tape is placedinto a glass vial. This is then frozen dry, stored and assessed afterthe conclusion of the study to provide an accurate baseline result.

The two products being compared product's A and B are detailed in tableII below. In product A the Tretinoin is separate from the rest of theformulation and applied prior to the application of the remainder of theproduct. TABLE II Product B Ingredient Product A Wt/Wt % Wt/Wt % Water,purified Quantity sufficient Quantity to 100 sufficient to 100 Glycerin,USP 3.0 3.0 Cetyl Palmitate 3.0 3.0 Mineral Oil, USP 2.0 2.0 Petrolatum,USP 1.85 1.85 Cetyl Alcohol, NF 1.26 1.26 Glyceryl Hydroxystearate 0.740.74 Stearic Acid 0.55 0.55 Steareth-100 0.5 0.5 Dimethicone 0.3 0.3Octyldodecyl Myristate 0.3 0.3 Potassium Hydroxide, NF 0.125 0.125 DMDMHydantoin and Idopropynyl 0.1 0.1 Butylcarbamate Tetrasodium EDTA 0.10.1 Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate 0.075 0.075 Crosspolymer Carbomer951 0.05 0.05 Tretinoin 0.025 —

Each product is applied to the dorsal forearm by the opposite hand bythe panelists after morning bathing habits each day for a total fourweeks. Panelists' apply each test product twice a day for a period offour weeks.

At weeks 1, 2, and 4 weeks during the treatment period panelists' have 6tapes recovered from the dorsal forearm. These 6 D-squame® tapes areemployed in a serial fashion in one location on each dorsal forearm fora total of six D-Squame® tapes. Each tape placed into its own labeledvial. On days that D-squame® tapes were removed from the surface,panelists were told to delay application of test products until aftermorning clinical evaluation. Different locations within the dorsalforearm were randomly utilized for different time points, that is week1, 2, and 4 within the study. The second, fourth and sixth tapes fromeach of the sample weeks are analyzed, as described herein, and theresults for each week are used to calculate mean values for each analytecontent for each week. These means are tabulated and graphed. See FIGS.13 to 18.

These glass vials may be analyzed immediately or they may be stored forlater analysis by storing the samples at −70° C. In any event, anyanalysis procedure is performed at about 23° C.

To each vial containing D-squame® tape 1 mL of harvesting solution isadded. The harvesting solution contains phosphate buffered saline with0.2% sodium dodecyl sulphate, and 1% propylene glycol. Each vialcontaining harvesting solution and D-squame® tape are then subjected tosonication for about thirty minutes. The sonication occurs in aBransonic B300 sonicating water bath which is filled with ice-water andhas a frequency of about 34 kHz and a power of about 50 watts. Theseglass vials may be analyzed immediately or they may be stored for lateranalysis by storing the samples at −70° C. In any event any analysisprocedure is performed at about 23° C.

The following analysis is performed on the solutions in each vial:

-   -   1. An 100 uL aliquot from each sample is analyzed using the        Pierce Micro BCA total Protein Assay kit Catalog # 23235        following kit instructions for microwell plate protocol.        (Pierce, 3747 N. Meridian Road P.O. Box 117, Rockford Ill.        61105). This assay was analyzed on a Molecular Devices        Spectramax spectrophotometer available from Molecular Devices        Corporation 1311 Orleans Drive Sunnyvale, Calif. 94089;    -   2. A 25 uL aliquot from each sample is analyzed using the Human        SkinMAP LINCOplex KIT, beads target keratin 1 & 10, Keratin 6,        cortisol, and Involucrin. (Linco Research 14 Research Park        Drive, St. Charles Mo. 63304) This kit was analyzed on a BioRad        BioPlex protein array system available from Bio-Rad Laboratories        2000 Alfred Nobel Drive Hercules, Calif. 94547; and

Statistical analysis demonstrates a significant difference in thequantity of keratins 1 & 10 and keratin 6 at week four with product Bbeing lower than product A. The keratins 1 & 10 reduction indicates astratum corneum that is more structurally organized, the reduction inkeratin 6 in product B indicates a reduction in chronic irritation ofthe epidermis and a reduction in wound repair mechanisms. Involucrin issignificantly higher for product A as early as one week of use (FIGS. 16and 18) indicating a thinner stratum corneum on the epidermis forproduct A use. Cortisol, a systemic growth factor, is variedsignificantly within product A usage (FIGS. 17 and 18). A significantreduction in cortisol from product A usage in comparison to product Bwithin the first week of usage (FIGS. 17 and 18) indicates an increasein cellular activity, potentially an increase in cellular division, oneof the mechanisms of cortisol. A significant increase in cortisol levelsfor product A by week four (FIGS. 17 and 18) may be indicative ofincreased vascular activity or an increase in trans-epidermal water lossdue to the indicated reduction in stratum corneum barrier seen in theinvolucrin data (FIGS. 16 and 18).

Taken as a whole the data sets for product A would indicate a productcomposition that would be ideal for consumers whom possess skin withexcess stratum corneum corneocytes (increases in involucrin), are olderand are interested in increasing cell-turnover rates (uptake ofcortisol). Product B would be a composition for sensitive skin in thatit increases the barrier properties of the skin (decrease in surfacekeratins 1 & 10, decrease in surface involucrin: therefore irritantsless apt to penetrate), reduces irritation (decreases keratin 6) and isan epidermal stress-free product (monotone cortisol levels).

Each product composition could be produced for specific consumer targetsand provide completely different product claim sets for efficacy.

Example 6

A magazine advertisement containing informational indicia whichcomprises information on the relative benefits of product A of Example 5on anti-aging effects over product B of Example 5.

Example 7

A television advertisement containing informational indicia whichcomprises information on the relative benefits of product A of Example 5on anti-aging effects over product B of Example 5.

Example 8

A skin lotion comprising product B of Example 5 containing informationalindicia in association therewith which comprises information on therelative benefits of product B with respect to sensitive skin overProduct A of Example 5.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm.”

All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, inrelevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of anydocument is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior artwith respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning ordefinition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning ordefinition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, themeaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shallgovern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

1. A method for evaluating quantitative changes in barrier properties onone or more affected surfaces of epithelial tissue of an animal subjectcaused by a test product, comprising the steps of: (a) harvesting one ormore control surfaces of epithelial tissue from said animal subject tocollect a first portion of mixed analytes as a control sample; (b)harvesting said affected surface of epithelial tissue from said animalsubject of step (a) to collect a second portion of mixed analytes as atest sample; (c) identifying a marker analyte selected from at least oneof albumin, keratin 1, keratin 10, keratin 11, cholesterol andbiological modifications of cholesterol, involucrin, intergrins,loricrin, S100, calcium binding proteins, plectin, plakoglobin,pancornulin, arachodonic acid and its metabolites, and trichohyalin, insaid test and control samples; (d) evaluating the effect of said testproduct on the epithelial tissue by evaluating said quantitative changeson said affected areas of the epithelial tissue by comparing the markeranalyte from said affected areas with the marker analyte from saidcontrol area.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said marker analytes insaid test and control samples are identified using antibody probes forsaid marker analytes.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein said harvestingof said control sample and said test sample are a procedure selectedfrom the group consisting of application of tape, rinsing by lavagemethod, biopsy, swabbing, scraping, blotting and combinations thereof.4. The method of claim 1 wherein said test product is selected from thegroup consisting of cosmetics, hair colorants, body wash, shampoo,conditioner, makeup, lotions, topical lotions, ointments, creams, skinlotions and combinations thereof.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein saidtest product is selected from the group consisting of toothbrushes,hairbrushes, pet brushes, and combinations thereof.
 6. The method ofclaim 1 wherein said test product is selected from the group consistingof underwear, footwear, and combinations thereof.
 7. The method of claim1 wherein said test product is medicaments.
 8. The method of claim 1wherein said test product is pet food.
 9. The method of claim 1 whereinsaid test product is selected from the group consisting of toothpaste,mouth wash and combinations thereof.
 10. The method of claim 1 whereinsaid test product is selected from the group consisting of pads,tampons, training pants, diapers and combinations thereof.
 11. Themethod of claim 1 wherein said test product is selected from the groupconsisting of facial tissues, wet wipes and combinations thereof. 12.The method of claim 1 wherein said test product is selected from thegroup consisting of hard surface cleansing compositions, dishwashingdetergent, bleach, laundry detergent and combinations thereof.
 13. Anarticle of commerce comprising informational indicia in association withsaid article of commerce, said informational indicia comprises at leastone assertion about at least one effect that a consumer product has onthe status of an affected area of epithelial tissue when said consumerproduct is applied to said affected area of epithelial tissue whereinsaid status of an affected area of epithelial tissue is determinedaccording to the method of claim
 1. 14. An article of commercecomprising informational indicia in association with said article ofcommerce, said informational indicia comprises at least one assertionabout quantitative changes that said article of commerce has on one ormore affected surfaces of epithelial tissue when said article ofcommerce is applied to said one or more affected surfaces of epithelialtissue wherein evaluation of said quantitative changes is determinedaccording to the method of claim
 1. 15. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising the steps of: (a) selecting one or more of said test productsand one or more comparison products; (b) applying said one or more testproducts and said one or more test products to one or more animalsubjects to provide affected areas of epithelial tissue; (c) determiningthe benefits of each of said one or more test products and each of saidone or more comparison products by comparing comparative data betweeneach of said one or more test products and each of said one or morecomparison products.
 16. An article of commerce comprising informationalindicia in association with said article of commerce, said informationalindicia comprises information on the relative benefits of said articleof commerce and one or more comparison products wherein said informationis determined according to the method of claim 15.